At Sequal, we believe our communities are our responsibility and that we can only thrive when we invest in their wellbeing. An epic organisation close to home certainly shares this belief and are demonstrating it to an absolute tee!
YWAM Ships Aotearoa’s central purpose is to empower a healthy future in the Pacific through the use of the YWAM Koha to provide medical and dental services. Since the borders closed in early 2020, they were unable to set out on missions off-shore so took the opportunity to find ways to help right here in Aotearoa.
With a dental container already set up on the ship, they launched the fully volunteer-run Trinity Koha Dental Clinic pilot programme and had their first patient through the door in less than four months – intending to help those with limited access to oral health services in the wider Bay of Plenty and what a difference they’ve made in such a short time!
More than 30 dentists, dental assistants, and pastoral care support’s help make up a phenomenal team who have delivered close to $500,000 worth of services treating over 1000 patients in under a year.
Recently they were recognised for the remarkable work they continue to do when they were announced as winners of both the ‘Heart of the Community’ Award and ‘People’s Choice’ Award in the 2022 TECT Community Awards. Congratulations to the team for this well-deserved recognition, and shout out to all those involved for the countless hours that have gone into firstly bringing this idea to life, and then the continuation and expansion of it.
Whilst the borders are now open and off-shore missions will resume, the team are passionate about carrying on these services to our most vulnerable. The immediate plan is to build a second dental container and double their service capacity. They plan to maintain their growth to do more, to further build partnerships, and to be able to serve more people… what’s not to love about these guys!?
We’re really proud to partner with YWAM and cannot wait to see what comes next!